FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

_Author's Note: Hey, look! I'm not dead! :D Thought it might be a good idea to turn out something to prove it, so here's the fifth of my 'Snapshots' series. Each of these shorts will consist of exactly 1000 words. If a picture is worth 1000 words, how much picture is 1000 words worth? Took a bit of a dark turn in this one, perhaps inspired a bit by recent readings of Stephen King and HP Lovecraft. But, as Johnny Cash once said, "I tell a lot of stories. Some of them are dark, because that's just the way life is." This one was also written in collaboration with MechaChick, so thanks to her for the assist. ^_^

Enjoy!

Big thanks to Thakur -for the idea, and the permission to use the concept. Go check out his 1000 word adventures too!

Thanks also goes as always to Guri for proofing._

_ Snapshots - Special Delivery _

Ferrus laid a paw over the package, smiling as he examined his choices in wrapping paper, weighing the pros and cons of each. Lilac, gold, and ruby --her three favourite colours. He could only choose one. It had to be the perfect one. Good was never enough.

Not for her.

Lilac would match her eyes wonderfully, but the shade was too soft for this gift. Perhaps the gold, a symbol of their undying love. Only... Perhaps that was pretentious. He might be seen as trying too hard.

Swiping the other two aside, he aligned the corners of the ruby paper, drawing them over the package in symmetrical folds. It wasn't a large box. Were he to mail it, it wouldn't even cost him ten dollars. But, he wouldn't trust his gift to other hands.

One thing he loved to remember most about her was her laughter. It felt like spring rain when it fell around him.

So sweet.So beautiful.

The tape whisked from the roll with a soft rip. A golden ribbon sealed the deed, sliced cleanly with scissors. He'd sharpened them specially, so the adornment wouldn't fray. It had to be perfect.

There will be no one in the way now... No one to interfere.

He took a moment to admire his handiwork. "Perfect," he murmured, stroking the package gently. The bouncing ribbon reminded him of her swishing feline tail, the mottled fur brushed to a healthy gleam. Smiling, he closed his eyes to savor that image. Her casual grace, her easy smile... Did she know how they made his heart flutter, or did she do it unconsciously?

The clock chimed six times --work beckoning him. Straightening his shirt, he tucked the package beneath his arm. The enchantment of morning had never felt so good as today. A brief pause to kiss his photo of her, and another to inhale her sultry scent from the lacy article of clothing she'd slyly left for him. She could be a delightful tease, when she wished. Then, he was out the door, starting the day on the right foot. She was his morning, and his night, completing him.

Still, there was much work to do, before he could savor the joy of delighting her. The post had been heavily backlogged due to the strikes. Of course, his pay packet was in need of the boost from the new union contract.How else could he care for someone with such high tastes? Hopefully, she wouldn't be upset that he'd put all of his extra earnings into the gift. Was it so hard to understand he wanted only the best for her?

Fifteen minutes later, he strode into the office with his head held high, nodding greetings to his peers. Most looked askance at his gift, but none questioned aloud. That was well. It was for her and her alone. He stowed it safely within his truck, then turned to the loading of the day's manifest. His heart leaped into his throat as he read the first address. Across the street. From her! Duty and pleasure to be accomplished at once.

Must be my lucky day.

He attacked the chore of loading the truck, anxious to be on the road. Parcels and bins of envelopes made beautifully uniform rows, but none matched the splendour of his gift. Feeling as if he were floating, he hopped into the cab and started the engine. It was time.

This drive passed through quiet, shady neighbourhoods, houses guarded by picket fences. Sharing such a place with her would be heaven on earth. An excellent place to raise a family together.

He pulled to a stop at the curb, jumping out with package in hand, gaze fixed on her front door. 752; the number burned into his mind.

A poster attached to the telephone pole caught his eye, fluttering in the wind. He ripped it down and tossed it away, lip curling contemptuously at the image of the middle-aged cougar. With a face like that, Vernon Alcott couldn't be missed overlymuch.

Heart pounding, he walked up to the heavy oak door and rang the bell. Footsteps came a moment later, dainty, graceful. The sound made him smile all the way until the door cracked open.

"Yes?" she asked, peeking out.

"Good morning, ma'am. Package for you." He held it out, his grin widening at the vision before him. He could lose himself in those violet eyes, even red-rimmed as they were.

"Oh, thank you, Ferrus." She swung the door wide enough to take it, revealing her garb of fluffy pink robe with matching slippers. "Do I need to sign?"

"No." Her robe lay partially open, exposing a pleasant amount of cleavage. Was that valley as soft as it appeared?

Her cheek twitched as she followed his gaze, eyes widening. She pulled the robe more firmly about her. Such a tease.

"A-are... y-you certain this is for me? It has no address." Her nose wrinkled. "Does it... smell? What is this?" She thrust the package at him, shaking her head. "I don't think-"

"Trust me." He gently pushed it back, smiling reassurance. "It's for you. Good day, Mrs. Alcott."

He turned, walking casually back to his truck, ears perked for her exclamation of delighted surprise. Silence at first, then the sound of paper tearing. Of course she was eager. She wanted this equally as much as he.

A choked gasp split the air, followed by a strangled sob, and a heavy thump. He didn't look back. Poor girl...She'd fainted at the sight of the lovely ring he'd spent so long shining for her --a replacement for that tarnished trash she currently wore. It had fit so well on the smallest finger of the man's hand in the box, he knew it would fit perfectly on her daintier ones. Soon, the shock would wear off, and she would see the truth.

They were meant to be, forever.